Rules of Stone

Great Falls Academy #1

by Alex Lidell

One elite fae warrior. Four superior officers. A bond they can’t remember—or resist.


Lera was once human. Now, with dark magic leaking into the mortal world, Lera and her four fae warriors must protect her home realm - even if that means going undercover to a human military academy. But when a sudden, terrible accident melds the males with their human disguise, everything changes. Now it’s up to Lera to make her mates remember themselves, their mission, and her, before the entire mortal world pays the price.


River, Shade, Tye, and Coal can’t overlook the gorgeous new cadet who’s just arrived at Great Falls Academy, but when the tantalizing Lera starts breaking rules and ignoring orders, the four senior officers intend to put her in her place. Lera will learn or she will quit—that is just how Great Falls works.


RULES OF STONE is the first episode in the GREAT FALLS ACADEMY novella series, featuring the same reverse-harem cast as Alex Lidell’s internationally bestselling POWER OF FIVE series. Episodes (novellas) will be released in one-month intervals and feature a complete internal plot as well as an overall season arc. (Reading the POWER OF FIVE novels is not necessary to enjoy GREAT FALLS ACADEMY.)


Join Lera and her males for an all-new POWER OF FIVE adventure!

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Paranormal, Magic, Audiobook, Why Choose

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2019

About the author

Alex Lidell is the Amazon Breakout Novel Awards finalist author of THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin) and several Amazon Top 100 Kindle Bestsellers, including the POWER OF FIVE romance series. She is an avid horseback rider who believes in eating dessert first. She writes as both Alex Lidell and A.L. Lidell.

Join Alex's newsletter for news, bonus content and sneak peeks: https://links.alexlidell.com/News

Find out more on Alex's website: www.alexlidell.com

Reviews

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adored Alex Lidell’s Scout series and have mean meaning to dive into more of the author’s work since. At the top of my list is the Power of Five series, as everyone seems to love it, but when I found out you could enjoy the Great Falls Academy series without first reading the Power of Five books, I was curious. Thus, I found myself diving into Rules of Stone.

Although it’s said you can enjoy the Great Falls Academy books without first reading the Power of Five books, I’m going to be that person that recommends you do not do so. Yes, I appreciated this story. However, I was at a massive disadvantage. The Great Falls Academy series is going to work like a television show, each short read a new episode. Without reading the Power of Five series, I feel as though I entered a television show in season two. There was enough information given as a reminder to fans to prevent me from being completely lost, but I did not feel the connection to the characters I should have.

Moreover, it is dangerous to read the Great Falls Academy books first if you’re planning to read the Power of Five books. I inadvertently received numerous spoilers for the Power of Five series, and I know it will have an impact upon my reading of the series. I still plan to go and read the Power of Five series, as I’m even more curious about it after reading Rules of Stone, yet I will not be continuing the Great Falls Academy series until I have read the Power of Five books. I really need to fill in those blanks, allowing me to understand the world and characters better before I continue their story.

For fans of the Power of Five series, however, I’m sure you’re going to enjoy the Great Falls Academy series. Rules of Stone was a fun quick read, one I was happy to power through. It kept me interested, it had plenty of things I’m curious about, and I’m sure people that know the characters well will devour this series.

It’s possible I may change my rating of this one when I’ve read the Power of Five series, but as it stands I can only give this a three-star rating, as I was missing too much to feel anything other than curiosity.

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skim read until 50%, because it doesn't really get interesting until then. I do love the twist though - gives rise to a lot of possibilities.

[Blog] - [Bookstagram]

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/7/2019)! 🎁

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Rules of Stone, is the next adventure for Lera and her Quint.
6 months after Lera died and was reborn Fae, River has taken the Slait throne. Lera and her Quint continue to protect Lunos, though they never stray far from the Slait Capital. Her males are growing restless. Centuries of being warriors on the move, being tided to Slait is wearing on them all. The mate bond puts them on edge whenever Lera is in danger. Lera struggles with their protectiveness and wanting to be an effective member of their quint.
The Elder Council has sent a request. The wards protecting the mortal realm have cracked, and creatures from Mors are making it through. The point of entry, Great Falls Academy, where the elite of the 10 kingdoms in the mortal world, live, learn, and train together, before taking on leadership roles in their kingdoms. With the help of amulets, created by Autumn, Lera and her males are going under cover to find the breach and close it.
Something goes terribly wrong when they reach Great Falls. They are separated and Lera injured. When she makes her way to the Academy alone, she finds her males already there. River is the feared Deputy Headmaster. Cole a ruthless instructor. Shade a kind and lethal, healer. Tye, a charming student athlete. They have no memory of Lera or their mission. Their amulets missing.
She does have an effect on her males, triggering something different in each of them.
Lera now has to save her males before she can save the mortal realm. She may have some help from Gravriel, the human librarian, who thinks she is part of a prophesy that has foretold her being taken by the fae and becoming fae herself and some how going to save the world.
Fast paced and a little steamy. Ends in and expected cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next book.

[Crystie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the first series these characters were in. I say this in many reviews, but I read series because I like to get to know the characters. It makes reading more interesting when you get to see characters change and grow and develop relationships. I liked all of the character developments in the original series.

Already, I'm irritated by the premise of this new series. Remember, I'm reading it because I like the characters. The author, however, has decided to give herself a blank slate. She takes magical characters (that I first read about because I enjoy fantasy stories about magic or shifters or what-have-you) and moves then to the mortal world. Then she takes all of those relationships that were painstakingly built in the first series and rips them away with what amounts to amnesia. The idea of that bothers me.

I've read the synopsis of each of the other books that are available for this series and see that the amnesia will remain a plot point. The next book isn't out yet and I'm not sure how many are planned, so it is possible I could even reach the last book available and get stuck on a cliffhanger. As I am not interested in cliffhangers or broken relationships for characters I already liked, I am putting this series on hold for now. I may revisit it later when it is complete. Maybe.

I kind of wish goodreads had a DNF shelf as an option as I'm never sure whether I should mark my DNF books as "read" (even though I did not finish) or as "want to read" (which is silly because if I wanted to read it I would finish.) I know I could make my own shelf. I want an official shelf.

[Lissa Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An episode of Buffy meets fae is the perfect description for this novella.

I am usually not a fan of novellas or serials, but this one reads exactly like it's stated intention, monster of the week TV episode amid an overreaching season arc.

Alex Lidell's signature mix of plot and steam works well in this new format, without feeling like you are lacking either.

[Puna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so sad when I thought we wouldn’t get any more Lera and her men. But then Alex came out with these ‘episode’ novellas and I’m so excited!!!

This was ah-mah-zing!!! It’s going to be very interesting. The men don’t know who Lera is, don’t know who they truly are, and have no idea about the mission they were tasked with. I think it was very interesting to see how they all remembered Lera but not truly her. I hope none of them do something to break her heart because I don’t think I could take that. They love her so much, it would probably haunt them too. But I’m excited to see about the prophecy, how Lera handles it on her own, and when the men finally get there memory back!

The quint is back!!

Overall: 5/5

[Siri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one, cuz of how all them just forget everything it feels like we are back on sqare one if ya know what i mean

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word. Great Falls Academy has for me been very highly anticipated. I Absalutely loved "THE Power Of Five" where me met Lera and her guys and followed her journey into Lunos and watched her bond develop with her guys.
I'm thrilled to be back with lera and her guys.
What a turn of events tho!!??!!
This book is gripping and everything I wanted.
It's written so well, and creating this this sense of episodes like a tv program is clever and brilliant.
I can not wait for the next episode of Great Falls Academy 2.
Stars...... I am busting at the bit to fly into the next episode and see what happens with this turn of events.
Absalutely fantastic as expected.
5 star thrilling read.

[Ola Adamska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lera and her guy are back! I have been waiting for this book so much.
There will be lots of action, an accident that will change everything for the main characters. Lera will have to help her mates remember what was between them before using one spell, but will Lera manage to convince them while being just a normal cadet.
As always Lera's story will bring lots of emotions.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard about these episodes/novellas I was not sure what to expect. I was excited to be back in this world but was uncertain as to weather it would stay interesting. But omg is it ever! I am so excited about this series and the drama and excitement! I need episode 2 now!!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fab reverse harem academy read! Well written this is fast paced and with a storyline filled with twists and turns you will not be able to put this down, I couldn’t!! Love the storyline, love the characters and I cannot wait to read the next episode!

[Megan (BookWifeReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that we get more Lera and her men! I loved the Power of Five series. The only thing I am not a huge fan of is the episode format of the books. They are short stories and they end in cliffhangers. I am not a huge fan of this but it's not terrible. The story itself was very good.

[Airwreckah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is good but plot is frustrating

[Brianna Belbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to the Great Falls Academy series! Even though this is my first book by Alex, I didn’t feel lost and this series can stand on its own, but I do plan to go back to The Power of Five series. Dark magic is leaking into the mortal world and Lera is willing to do anything to protect her home even if she has to go undercover to Great Falls Academy, a military institute. Her four men get stripped of their memories and mission and it’s up to her to save them and her home. Coal, River, Shade, and Tye see her as a new cadet and want to put her in her place since she’s disobedient, but who will be successful in their mission? Cole is now a ruthless instructor, River is the Deputy Headmaster, Shade is a killer, and Tye is an sporty cadet. I really enjoyed the world that Alex has created and the magical system within it. This book was fast paced, magical, filled with some steamy scenes, and left me wanting to know what’ll happen next!
Victoria did a really good job with this narration. I loved how well she brought Lera’s character to life and her voice had an easy flow to it.
@AudiobookObsession
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lera and her bonds saved the fae world, now they need to save Lera's home world. The mortal realm. They are assigned to go undercover to Great Falls Academy, a human military academy. There they will try to discover what is making the veil between the worlds fail. However, an accident causes the men to forget their true identities and believe the disguises they were given for the mission. Lera must find a way to make them remember who they are, who she is, and what their mission is.

I have mixed feelings. The plot is good and I love Lera and her men. This episode was very entertaining but I find "amnesia" tropes beyond frustrating. And if any of Lera's men get too friendly with any of the other females at the academy I am finished. I know it wouldn't be traditional cheating but I still won't read about Lera's heart being destroyed. I will only be able to handle this memory loss if the men all fall in love with her all over again. If so, then their love is real, not magically ordained by the quint bond. That would be worth the amnesia.

[Ashley Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rules of Stone was about what I expected when I got into this book.

I should preface this review by saying I’ve read some of the Power of Five series, but couldn’t stay interested in it long enough to complete the series. I really liked the first book, but after book two it just couldn’t keep my attention.

So I was excited to learn about this series, which is episodic and so more focused on action and less on filler – a major turn off for me in Power of Five.

The first part of the book is a little slow, but it contains information that would be beneficial to readers that haven’t read the Power of Five series. And while I know you’re supposed to be able to enjoy this series without having read the original, I would actually recommend that you read the original first.

While you can probably muddle your way through this book, if you plan on reading the original series it contains spoilers. And while Alex Lidell does a good job of reintroducing the characters and world, all I could think when I was reading was how lost I would be if I hadn’t partially read Power of Five.

Knowledge from the first series would also increase your appreciation for some of the interactions the characters have and some of the events that take place, as they’re written in a way that directly contrasts the original series – kind of the point of giving well-known characters amnesia.

So if you don’t mind waiting to read this series, read the original first.

Otherwise, this was a decent read. I had some of the same issues with this book that I had with Power of Five, which is primarily how Lera is alternatingly treated as a damsel or a badass, but somehow we never actually get to see her be a badass.

I have hope for the other books in this series, however, and I love amnesia plots, so I’m excited for what comes next.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

I fell in love with Lera and her men during the original series so I was more then stoked when I heard this new serial was coming out with them as the MC's. We pick up about six months later with Lera still training to catch up when she can but they are still going on jobs since they were reinstated. Something weird is going on with the border between the human and fae realms so they are sent to investigate. Instead Lera ends up with a few twists that has her pretty much figuring it all out on her own. A must read for fans of the series and a great start for newbies. It is a serial though so know that going into. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.

[Chibime · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY!!! manage to start reading this after restarting my kindle subscription! a great start to our favourite quint ever!! dear alex i hope this series will not stop. Just do whatever you want their life after children etc! ok im way out of line this only the first book ! ON TO THE SECOND BOOK!

[Pam Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read the Power of Five then all you need to know is this takes place 6 months later get it! Lol for everyone else I'll tell you more about it. Like it say this story will be in spisodes and continues the story so there will be chiffhangers but the story is amazing and the authors writeing fantastic. This story is about Lera or Leralynn she used to be mortal and from the mortal realm until her fae mean came and got her now she is immortal and fae all that is in the series power of five. An amazing series too.
She became part of a sanctioned quint the other four fae warriors and her men are River who is king, Shade a wolf shiter and healer, Tye a tiger shifter and Coal. All immortal and very powerful. Together they are the most powerful quint ever.
They have been told that the mortal realm is in danger . The protection wards are cracking. There job is to find out why and stop it. In the mortal realm they will not have here powers. All they will have is the chameleon veils. It will give them id's and make them look like humans not fae. There are some bad things with it they will not feel Thier bonds and they must take off the veil every day or it will take them over making the forget who they Realy are.
So off to the mortal realm they go only on the way there something happens . She is separated from them when she come to and get to great Falls academy. Everything has changed and she is the only one that remembers. What's is she going to do? Love the characters, drama, mystery, intrigue, action and more This story has. It's amazing. I can't wait for the next book. Don't miss it.
Voluntarily reviewed a copy and I honestly loved it.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story & Audible Listen🎧 Fascinating!!

Rules of Stone
Great Falls Academy, Episode 1
By: Alex Lidell
Narrated by: Victoria Mei

This is a great start to a new series. This is my first Alex Lidell book and it will not be my last. She is has a great writing style, the world and characters she created are imaginative and interesting. I have not had the pleasure to enjoy the series prior to this one but that did not stop me from enjoying this one. The book starts telling you about Lera and her four fae warriors, Coal, Tye, River and Shade. There is descriptive details about the world they live in and what is going on. There are problems in the realms and since Lara is from the mortal world the quint is sent on a mission there. Using magic they are sent on a mission to the Great Falls Academy. Interesting twist and turn of event happens changing things. It had me wondering and wanting to know more. Are things going as planned or was there an interception of some kind along the way to change things and if so why, accident or intentional? I am looking forward to what comes next in this series. Alex Lidell, thank you for this entertaining story.

I listened to the Audible edition, Victoria Mei is a wonderful narrator and voice performer.. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own unique voice and personality. Awesome delivery on the different accents too. It is amazing how flawlessly she switches characters, roles, and keeps the story in a perfect flow. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Victoria Mei, thank you for another great listen🎧.

[Janus the Erudite Artist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth be told, I was hesitant to read the Great Falls Academy. I finished the Power of Five series just recently and I really liked where it left off. I was terrified that I might end up not liking the new adventure or rather find that they're in the same twist of a plot as the previous series deeming it repetitive. Thank goodness it wasn't the case! Great Falls Academy does have the same MC and harem that I loved from Power of Five, but the story opens into an entirely fresh take in their lives, not to mention that it also poses a challenge to see how strong their bond truly is.

While reading through Episode 1 and witnessing the change in how the males see Lera, again I find myself torn between embracing this heartache or wanting things to stay the way they were before all this happened. I mean, they're all already, finally happy! Must we torture them some more? Ah, but I know if this plot twist did not happen, then I wouldn't find myself as invested to see how this story progresses and see how strong their love is.

I got into reverse harem books because of the fresh dynamic of a female lead having multiple partners, but books written in ways such as how Alex Lidell wrote here RH novels makes them even more interesting. It's not just about the harem, there's a riveting story to look forward to. I'm definitely going to read the other episodes. So I am left to ask, how many will there be? And will I have the patience to wait for each one? LOL.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quint is back! I was absolutely ecstatic to return to the land of Lunos and read about my men Coal and River!
While technically you can go straight to reading this first installment of the planned upcoming multi-episode series of stories featuring Lera and the delicious men of her quint, I highly recommend first reading the full series that preceded it, Power of Five. What I enjoyed most about this first episode were the little actions/thoughts/expressions of things we already knew about the characters or from their history, and I wouldn't want other readers to miss out on that.
This first episode is very much as described - it functioned kind of like a season premiere of a TV series (or movie series rather, since it took a couple hours to read for this reader) and one of the main plot points is ingenious as a way to set up conflict and ongoing issues, as well as a way to create some of my favorite elements of academy/school based stories. (That was all deliberately vague to prevent spoilers). I wasn't sure how the author was going to do it, knowing how the first series ended and that an academy setting was planned, but she knocked it out of the park. This world and these characters remain some of my favorite fantasy reverse harem ones. And as usual, cleanly and well-written, in a way that perfectly mixes the fantasy of my youth with adult content to satisfy my... not-so-youth. And Coal. 'Nuff said.

[Diana Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules of Stone: Great Falls Academy, Episode 1Kindle Edition
by Alex Lidell
I received an eARC and am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.

Six months after Lera becomes Fae and truly joins with her four mates – Shade, Coal, Tye and River – they are sent on their first real mission as Quint. Something goes horribly wrong, leaving Lena trapped at the Great Falls Academy with a whole new life that includes the other pieces of her soul. But they can't remember her and the mission still must be completed

Told in a tightly written, page-turning novella as episode approach, this book keeps your attention! If you are a fan of Ms. Lidell, grab this immediately!

Normally, the serial book premise is oversold and overpriced because many writers don't understand that you have to tell a complete part of the story in a short time. Lidell, already a master at the romance and RH romance genres, takes on this format and takes complete control of it.

She gives us a smexy time, warrior time and mystery time. Of course we get a glimpse of Amber (who still needs her own story) and other new side characters.

I really loved this and can't wait for the next episode, which I hope comes out soon!

5 stars out of 5.

https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Stone-Gr...

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was hesitant about a book in this format (being 'split' in episodes), but to be honest, I don't really mind it for this one, since there is more than enough going on in the book to make it feel worth it.

We have a great plot, a well written 'setting of the stage' and so we're off!
It's always nice to read about Lera and her men again, think they are one of my favorite reverse harems. So diverse but coming together so nicely. Well written indeed.
Now the men have lost all memory and feeling of their bond, it's interesting to read how they are still so attuned to each other on a subconscious level. Lera has her work cut out, that's for sure :D

Pacing and flow were good, especially with an episode format there is always the fear of either getting too much action or too much conversation, but not this time! The author managed to get a great balance of the two, giving the flow and continuation of the story a great boost.

The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors and yes, there is sex described if that is important to you.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and I'm sooooo looking forward to the next episode!!! I wonder what River will do...

[Heather Murrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I have ever thrown a temper tantrum as bad as I did upon finishing this story. Rules of Stone leaves off 6 months after the Power of Five series. This RH grouping is probably my favorite and I love the individual personas of all of the characters. River, yes Sir. Coal, emotionless hot cakes, Shade, a fur ball of cuddles, Tye, a thieving bendy straw of sass and poor lucky Lera who has/gets to be mates to them. This is the first book to a new series for them and let me tell you, I am in love, stressed out and heartbroken. I’m heartbroken because something has gone wrong and our immortal men don’t remember themselves or Lera and I’m stressed because this book left at such a good part. If you loved Power of Five like I did you have to read this. If you love romance or RHs or fantasy read this series. If you haven’t read Power of Five then read that series and then read this one. It’s not needed, but you will thank me later. I am pretty sure I am dying for the next one. Am I being dramatic? Yes. Am I wrong about how amazing this series/story is? Absolutely not. It was so good. Read it!!! Now!!!

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Lidell is one of my very favorite authors, so it’s no surprise that I rush to download every book she releases and am extremely happy whenever a new series is announced. Happily, as usual, her latest new series book 1,
Rules of Stone: Great Falls Academy, Episode 1, is up to her superb standards. This is a sequel to her fabulous Power of Five series. If you loved that series you’re pretty much guaranteed to love this one. If you haven’t read that series I strongly urge you to do do (and do it first as it makes more sense that way) even though this series does stand on its own. And as for this series, other than its shortness (these are novellas after all), all I can say is that if the publisher’s blurb is even remotely interesting to you then you’re bound to enjoy this “Episode 1”. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next “Episode” book in this series.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite 4 & 1/2 stars.
A new reader definitely needs to read "The Power of Five" series first- before diving into this series. Though the author really tries to make it an independent series from The Power of Five (TPOF), it's too intertwined to get all the nuances in this book that tie back to the original series without reading TPOF first. I would not have appreciated this book (at all) had I not read TPOF series first.

That being said, I'm mad at having to wait for the remainder of the books in this series to release, I want them right NOW! LOL

I did enjoy this book, it's going to show that it wasn't just the "magic" that pulled the quint together, and that thrills me, since it makes it more than just the "quint" bond or the "mate" bond that has them together. But on the same token, I'm frustrated because it's like starting all over for the quint & waiting for things to get cohesive for them again might just kill me. I think Lera will be so much more in this series than in the TPOF series, since she's trying to re-group with her quint/mates & has all the knowledge, since it was the reverse in TPOF.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audible version. I would like to give the story 3.5 stars. The concept of approaching the story as episodes in a series was interesting to me. I would have liked a little more resolution to the immediate storyline for the individual episode, but would be interested in hearing another one to see if it's just due to the initial set up of the series.

I haven't read the Power of Five series. I usually like series that continue with the same characters as long as the relationship is maintained. I'm not sure how I would feel about the events in this series if I had read the first series. I'm sure that I would have gotten more out of this episode if I had more background on the characters, but it was still enjoyable without having the background.

One thing that did bother me was the frequent references to "the males" or "my males" to refer to the four specific men, but the word "male" made it seem impersonal and as if all males were interchangeable. That seemed to contradict the special bond they were suppose to have.

Victoria Mei performed the episode well.

#AudiobookObsession

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard Alex was giving Lera and her mates more page time with a sequel series I squealed. I missed them so much, and getting to read a whole new story arc with some of my favorite characters is awesome. I will admit that I had some trouble getting into it, but I think that was only because I was dreading the guys losing their memories, and after they all finally got on the same page about loving each other too, but I loved it. It is a way for Lera to grow into herself even more. The first four books were about developing relationships, trying to stop the big bad, and figuring out who and what Lera really is. This time, I think it's going to be more about Lera getting stronger on her own and proving to everyone, including her and her mates, that she is a warrior. Proving that she can hold her own. It is the perfect opportunity to further develop her character and make her even stronger. I do miss the guys and wish they remembered, but other than that I absolutely loved this book with all my heart.

*I received an ARC copy of this book.